This remarkable and entertaining 5-DVD collection of 16 rare television dramas, broadcast both live and filmed from 1951 to 1960, features up-and-coming performers just as they're starting their careers, as well as seasone... more &raquod pros from the big screen, and represents such classic TV anthologies as PLAYHOUSE 90, THE U.S. STEEL HOUR, TELEPHONE TIME, FOUR STAR PLAYHOUSE, and DUPONT THEATER. Working behind the scenes were such legendary writers and directors as ROD SERLING, JOHN FRANKENHEIMER, DANIEL PETRIE, and DAVID SUSSKIND. Included in this extraordinary set are: BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY (1956) - Paul Newman THE COMEDIAN (1957) - Mickey Rooney, Mel Torme PLAYMATES (1952) - Natalie Wood THE BELLS OF COCKAIGNE (1953) - James Dean THE WILD BUNCH (1955) - Natalie Wood, Charles Boyer FIGHT FOR THE TITLE (1957) - Michael Landon FULL CIRCLE (1955) - Joanne Woodward, David Niven DEATH OF MANOLETE (1957) - Jack Palance, Suzy Parker WOMAN'S WORK (1956) - Walter Brennan, James Best MAN AGAINST CRIME (1952) - Ralph Bellamy HILL NUMBER ONE (1951) - James Dean, Roddy McDowall I BEHELD HIS GLORY (1953) - George Macready LETTER TO LORETTA (1953) - Loretta Young TREASURE ISLAND (1960) - Boris Karloff, Hugh Griffith SUMMER OF DECISION (1959) - Suzanne Pleshette FEDERAL MEN (1955) - Gloria Talbott A rare treat for fans of classic television - and classic Hollywood! TOTAL RUNNING TIME: Approx. 714 mins. Disc One BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY (U.S. Steel Hour) - 9/26/56 - Paul Newman, George Peppard, Albert Salmi - Heart-rending tale of baseball pitcher Henry Wiggins (20-year-old Paul Newman), who befriends the team's slow-witted catcher, Bruce Pearson (Albert Salmi from The Twilight Zone), after Pearson is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Twenty-five years later, Daniel Petrie once again directed Paul Newman, in Fort Apache: The Bronx. 52 mins. THE COMEDIAN (Playhouse 90) - 2/14/57 - Mickey Rooney, Mel Torme, Kim Hunter, Edmond O'Brien - Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone) scripted this powerful tale of ruthless and megalomaniacal TV comic, Sammy Hogarth (Mickey Rooney) who abuses everyone he works with - especially his own brother, Lester (Mel Torme). Directed by John Frankenheimer (Birdman of Alcatraz). 72 mins. PLAYMATES (Pepsi-Cola Playhouse) - 8/29/54 - Natalie Wood, Alan Napier - A lonely young girl (16-year-old Natalie Wood in her television debut) plays with imaginary friends in her uncle's mansion, but why does her uncle (Alan Napier of Batman) start to hear them, too? Directed by Richard Irving (Six Million Dollar Man). 30 mins. Disc Two THE BELLS OF COCKAIGNE (Armstrong Circle Theatre) - 11/17/53 - James Dean, Gene Lockhart, Tige Andrews - When a young father (James Dean) confides that he desperately needs money for his critically ill son, a kindly co-worker (Gene Lockhart of A Christmas Carol) comes to their aid. Directed by James Sheldon (The Twilight Zone). 30 mins. THE WILD BUNCH (Four Star Playhouse) - 2/17/55 - Natalie Wood, Charles Boyer - Recently married Charles Boyer has difficulty adjusting to three new step-children, the oldest being Natalie Wood, who is dating a slimy loser. Directed by William Seiter (Sons of the Desert). 30 mins. FIGHT FOR THE TITLE (Telephone Time) - 3/17/57 - Michael Landon, George Brenlin - Real-life boxer Benny Leonard (played by George Brenlin of Adam-12) tries to dissuade an ambitious but slow-witted young fighter (20-year-old Michael Landon) from risking his life in the ring. Directed by Erle C. Kenton (Ghost of Frankenstein). 30 mins. FULL CIRCLE (Four Star Playhouse) - 10/27/55 - David Niven, Joanne Woodward - A sadistic theatre critic (David Niven) savages the latest effort of a very dedicated actress (Joanne Woodward), leading to armed confrontation. Directed by Harry Horner (father of composer James Horner). 30 mins. Disc Three DEATH OF MANOLETE (Playhouse 90) - 9/12/57 - Jack Palance, Suzy Parker, Ray Danton - The tragic-but-true story of famed Spanish matador Manolete (Jack Palance), and his rise to fame (and ill-fated end) in the bull ring. Introduced by Van Heflin. Directed by John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate). 90 mins. WOMAN'S WORK (DuPont Theater) - 11/20/56 - Walter Brennan, James Best, Jane Darwell, Mary Murphy - A cantankerous old man (Walter Brennan) reluctantly allows his newlywed son (James Best from The Twilight Zone) to move in with his bride (Mary Murphy from The Wild One) - but only if she'll work as his unofficial slave! Directed by William Seiter (Room Service). 30 mins. JOY RIDE (Man Against Crime) - 10/22/52 - Ralph Bellamy, Joseph Downing - After his own car is stolen, Mike Barnett (Ralph Bellamy) goes after a gang of young car thieves run by a crime boss (Joseph Downing from Invisible Stripes). Directed by Edward J. Montagne (McHale's Navy). 30 mins. Disc Four HILL NUMBER ONE (Family Theatre) - 3/25/51 - James Dean, Roddy McDowall, Ruth Hussey, Joan Leslie - In this retelling of the story of the Crucifixion - book-ended by sequences that take place at Easter during the Korean War - 20-year-old James Dean gets his first onscreen credit as John the Baptist. Directed by Arthur Pierson (Rocky Jones: Space Ranger). 57 mins. I BEHELD HIS GLORY (Family Theatre) - 4/25/53 - George Macready, Morris Ankrum, Robert Wilson - A different take on the story of Easter, with George Macready (Paths of Glory) as Cornelius, the Roman centurion in charge of Christ's crucifixion, who becomes a believer. St. Peter is portrayed by Morris Ankrum (Invaders From Mars). Directed by John T. Coyle (Undersea Kingdom). 53 mins. THE FAITH OF CHATA (Letter to Loretta) - 12/13/53 - Loretta Young - Loretta plays a Mexican dancer who gives a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary to her young daughter, Chata (Nancy Gilbert). Directed by Robert Florey (The Cocoanuts). 23 mins. Disc Five TREASURE ISLAND (DuPont Show of the Month) - 3/5/60 - Boris Karloff, Hugh Griffith, Michael Gough - Robert Louis Stevenson's immortal tale of pirates and pieces of eight is brought to life with Hugh Griffith (Tom Jones) as Long John Silver, Michael Gough (Konga) as Dr. Livesey, and Boris Karloff (Frankenstein) as rival pirate, Billy Bones. Directed by Daniel Petrie (A Raisin in the Sun). 87 mins. SUMMER OF DECISION - 11/13/59 - Suzanne Pleshette, Kevin McCarthy, Nicholas Pryor - A young man (Nicholas Pryor from All My Children) considers becoming a social worker. Kevin McCarthy (Invasion of the Body Snatchers) is a job recruiter and Suzanne Pleshette (The Bob Newhart Show) is a young social worker. Directed by William Graham (Change of Habit). 30 mins. THE CASE OF THE STEADY HAND (Federal Men) - 4/21/55 - John Stephenson, Gloria Talbott - Voice actor John Stephenson (The Flintstones) is on the trail of a crook who's been stealing the savings bonds of dead people. Gloria Talbott (Daughter of Dr. Jekyll) guest stars as the crook's squeeze. Directed by Robert Sloane (Mr. and Mrs. North). 30 mins.&laquo less

Movie Reviews

"broadcast live with outstanding productions ~ Golden Age of

J. Lovins | Missouri-USA | 07/03/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Passport Video presents "The Golden Age of TV Drama", --- (Dolby digitally remastered)....relive those early years of television with 16 rare and remarkable dramas from 1951-1960...from the archives of Armstrong Circle Theatre, Cavalcade of America, Family Theater, Playhouse 90, The U.S. Steel Hour, Telephone Time, Four Star Playhouse, The Schaefer Century Theatre, Telephone Time and The DuPont Show of the Month ...some of the best writers and directors as Rod Serling, John Frankenheimer, Barnaby Conrad, John T. Coyle, Daniel Petrie, James Sheldon and David Susskind...just remember the mystery and suspense...hitting the bull's eye with excitement...so pop some popcorn, sit back and enjoy the movie.

This collection of live television dramas still has the magic that we remember from those bygone years --- but as long as we have the labels and networks who play and show these wonderful films of yesteryear, they will never be forgotten ...hats off and a great job by Passport Video for releasing "The Golden Age of TV Drama", digital transfere with a clean, clear and crisp print...looking forward to more of the same from the '50s and '60s vintage...order your copy now from Amazon or Passport Video, stay tuned once again for more remarkable dramas from the vaults of classic television and classic Hollywood...just the relive the good old days from legendary writers and directors with an outstanding cast of actors...celebrating decades of live television with actors and directors who gave their all in the early pioneer days of TV drama, gotta love it!

Total Time: 714 mins on DVD ~ Passport Video 5210 ~ (7/11/2006)"

Dramas of varying quality

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 03/29/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not all of the programs on THE GOLDEN AGE OF TV DRAMA were "live" broadcasts. Several of these are 24 minute films (like "The Wild Bunch") that suffer from a lack of time necessary to develop their stories properly. Some seem to be chosen more for the actors in them than the shows' quality of script. Others ("The Comedian," for example) are brilliant representations of what made live broadcasting wonderful and unique.

The manufacturer, PASSPORT, superimposes a faint watermark of this box set's title on-screen at all times. It's most noticeable on dark scenes. Also, the spindles that hold the DVDs in place are of poor design, and the discs often come loose of their own accord. Their boxes need a redesign.

If you enjoy made-for-TV dramas, I'd recommend the ALL STAR 50 Movie Pack, from MILL CREEK ENTERTAINMENT. The films are of newer vintage (mostly 1970s and '80s) and there are literally dozens of famous actors here.

"Examine the list of offerings for this item and you will see a who's who list of stars in some very early roles. Paul Newman at the age of 20 in Bang the Drum Slowly,for example. This was a time when many fine and serious drama production were made for tv, because there was thought that the public wanted that entertainment as well as I Love Lucy. This as well acted material by some of the finest actors of our time. It won't be vulgar or gory but maybe just maybe a little insightful."

A fascinating mirror into television's golden age...

Kenneth M. Pizzi | San Mateo, CA United States | 09/25/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a delightful set showcasing some of Hollywood's greatest talent including James Dean, Jack Palance, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward, and Mickey Rooney among others in some of the best teleplays ever presented on television. Most, if not all were broadcast live and are a testament to the actor's and director's craft.

Included among these are several delightful programs from the celebrated and much acclaimed Playhouse 90. Two standouts in this set include "The Comedian" penned by Rod Serling and directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Mickey Rooney, Mel Torme, Kim Hunter and Edmund O'Brien. Rooney is well cast as an ruthless and megalomanical TV comic who literally abuses everyone he works with--including his writer (O'Brien) and his own brother, (Torme, in a surprisingly understated performance) with devastating results.

Serling, no stranger to Playhouse 90 and before he would achieve the acclaim for "The Twilight Zone" penned this story shortly after he wrote "Patterns" starring Van Heflin. Sterling would write yet another winner for Playhouse 90, that being "Requiem for a Heavyweight" featuring Jack Palance in the title role. Sadly, neither "Patterns" nor "Requiem" are included in this set.

Another winner is the tragic-but-true dramatized story entitled "The Death of Manolete," also directed by Frankenheimer, starring Jack Palance, as the famed bullfighter whose rise to fame and ill-fated demise is well-documented here in this 90 minute dramatization featuring Suzy Parker, Robert Middleton, and Ray Danton as supporting cast.

The set rounds out with other lesser known epsiodes of "Man Against Crime" and an interesting pilot entitled "Man for the Defense" starring Eddie G. Robinson. While these are interesting, they pale in comparison to the other two programs previously mentioned.

Those expecting remastered, pristine transfers should look elsewhere, but then again, the programs in this set from Playhouse 90, The US Steel Hour, Four Star Playhouse and Dupont Theater are difficult to find in any format, so we are fortunate to have this window into television's infancy. And, not to mention, many of the programs presented include their original commercials including spots for Mallboro cigarettes, Ban Deodorant, and Vitalis to name a few.